The reinstated identity of agglutinated foraminifer Campanellula capuensis from the Lower Cretaceous of southern Italy by means of a 3D model investigation.

Abstract

Campanellula capuensis was described as belonging to the Trochamminacea (trochospiral tests) and later transferred to the genus Orbitolinopsis of the Orbitolinidae (uniserial tests). Challenging its identity as a species of Orbitolinopsis , the most widely accepted classifications of agglutinated foraminifera reinstate Campanellula but retain its inclusion within the Orbitolinidae, subfamily Dictyoconinae. New material from the type locality and the San Lorenzello section (Matese Mountains, southern Apennines, Italy) as well as the construction of a 3D model allow to reinstate the original description as a low-to high-trochospirally (conical) coiled foraminifer with numerous chambers per whorl and to display an overall conical test morphology. An orbitolinid test construction including uniserial chambers (throughout the test or in its adult part) is absent. The conflicting opinions on taxonomic status of Campanellula are discussed leading to the removal from the order Loftusiina and the suborder Orbitolinina. Instead, Campanellula should be included into the order Lituolida and the suborder Verneuilinina. Campanellula capuensis represents a biostratigraphic and palaeobiogeographic marker taxon, restricted to upper Hauterivian–lower Barremian inner platform carbonates of the southern Neotethyan margin.